Magnetic ordering and magnetic properties of ErAu xNi 1− xIn (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution

Abstract

The ErAu x Ni 1− x In (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) quasiternary compounds crystallize in the hexagonal layered crystal structure of ZrNiAl-type. ErAuIn was reported to be an antiferromagnet with T N = 3 K and magnetic moments having triangular arrangement within the basal plane (the magnetic order is described by the propagation vector k → = [ 0 , 0 , 1 / 2 ] ). On the contrary ErNiIn is a ferromagnet with T C = 9 K and magnetic moments pointing along the c-axis. The magnetic ordering in ErAu x Ni 1− x In (0 < x < 1) solid solution, has been investigated by neutron diffractometry in the temperature range between 1.5 and 15 K. Moreover, bulk magnetic measurements have been carried out in the range 1.72–400 K. All alloys of intermediate composition were found to be antiferromagnets with T N between 4.6 and 7 K. Below 2 K their magnetic order is described by the propagation vector k → = [ 1 / 2 , 0 , 1 / 2 ] and magnetic moments are aligned along the c-axis. However, for alloys with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 the propagation vector was found to turn into k → = [ 1 / 3 , 1 / 3 , 1 / 2 ] with increasing temperature.